Logic Pro X: Using and saving patches

Learn more about patches which are a new setting type in Logic Pro X.

General

In addition to the features of the channel strip setting you may be familiar with from earlier versions of Logic, patches also save any aux channel sends that are needed to reproduce the complete patch, as well as the Smart Control layout and assignments for the patch. Also, some patches may use Track Stacks to layer instruments, and to provide tracks to automate effects used in the patch. Most of the content included with Logic Pro X is in the patch format.

Loading an existing patch

Loading an existing patch is simple: choose the track in the tracks area you'd like to load a patch onto, open the Library by clicking the Library button in the control bar, and navigate to the patch you'd like to load. A single click on the patch name in the Library will load it. You'll notice that the library will show different patches, depending on whether you are working with an audio, software instrument (including Drummer track), Aux, or Output. If you are working with an External MIDI track, then any nodes you may have configured in Audio MIDI Setup will be shown in the library. In many cases, aux channels with reverb, delay, or other effects will also be added to the mixer, and sends to the aux channels will appear on the channel strip.

For example, here is what loads when you choose the Emotive Pulse Software Instrument patch:

The patch includes a Retro Synth setting, several audio plug-ins and a send on Bus 1 to an aux. Looking at the Mixer, you can see the aux channel includes a bypassed Chorus, a Space Designer reverb setting, and a Channel EQ setting.

Had the song already used Bus 1 for some other purpose, Logic would have used the next available bus as a send.

Choosing different types of settings for a patch

Going back to the track, notice the blue arrow to the left of the patch Insert Slot:

This indicates that the patch Insert Slot has Library focus, and so the Library shows patches. Hover the mouse cursor to the left of other Insert Slots on the channel strip. Notice the gray triangle:

If you click the triangle, it turns blue, indicating the insert now has Library focus:

Notice that the library now displays Retro Synth settings instead of complete patches. You can load a different setting into the Instrument Slot, while keeping the other elements of the channel strip.

Likewise, you can focus on any of the audio effects Insert Slots, and the patch Library shows presets for whichever plug-in is currently loaded into the slot:

Clicking the blue triangle closes the Library entirely.

Saving a patch

If you make changes to a patch or setting, you can save it by placing the focus on the slot that contains the altered setting, and click the Save button at the bottom right of the Library.